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400,000 Car Fans visit Chicago Auto Show.

14 February 2000

Strong Opening Weekend for Chicago Auto Show

    CHICAGO, Feb. 14 -- "Some ask what the secret of success is
for the Chicago Auto Show," said show chairman Bill Stasek.  "A world-class
facility coupled with Mid-America's love for the automobile is the answer."
   
 Nearly 400,000 consumers found their way to nation's largest auto show in
its first weekend of operation.
  
  "We enjoyed one of the biggest opening Saturdays in the history of the
show," commented Stasek.  "And despite the threat of chilling winds and a
crowd-choking snow, the allure of the automobile was the clear entertainment
of choice for Sunday."
   
 Traditionally, the show's strong second weekend pushes the total
attendance well over the 1 million mark.
   
 "We never make any predictions about expected attendance," said show
general manager Jerry Cizek.  "We just hope the weather stays as good as the
interest."
   
 The weekdays ahead at the Chicago Auto Show feature Women's Day, Feb. 15,
offering a $3 discount to all women who attend; and the Chicago Auto Show Food
Drive, Feb. 16-18, offering a $3 discount to those who bring two cans of food
for donation to the Chicago Christian Industrial League.

    Individual Daily Attendance though Sunday, February 13, 2000:
    -- Thursday, Feb. 10, First Look for Charity:         10,557
    -- Friday, Feb. 11, Opening Day:                      59,596
    -- Saturday, Feb. 12:                                165,758
    -- Sunday, Feb. 13:                                  159,224
    -- Total through Sunday, February 13, 2000:          395,135

    The Chicago Auto Show is open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. through Feb. 20.